Meet Jack

You may recognize this Britt from his video last month–“Jack Holden Loves Pittsburgh”. He truly loves the place and is looking for work in our fair city. Here’s a little more about Jack, and what he’d like to do in Pittsburgh.

Why Pittsburgh? What brings you to the city?

Initially, I came to Pittsburgh to visit my girlfriend from Mt. Lebanon. I didn’t really know much about Pittsburgh, other than what I was told by Dana before my first visit. By the end of my trip I had fallen in love with the city. It is unique compared to any other city that I have been to in the states. It’s got a funky, fresh, and alternative vibe which makes the city pretty exciting to be in.

On my first weekend of my first visit, we went to the Strip District on a Saturday morning. That was pretty special. I usually go to a market regularly in London where it’s overflowing with culture and smells of ethnic foods. But in Pittsburgh, it was surreal as there was heavy snow on the ground and this market going ballistic. Most of all, the friendliness and kindness of the people is the main attraction. You don’t get that everywhere, and there is this local feel and buzz in a relatively big city.

What is your dream job? What is the type of job you’re looking for now?

My dream job is to become a professional tennis player, but my girlfriend’s brother is ruining that dream as he keeps beating me, which is rather frustrating! Seriously, I’m a geographer so I like to be outside and in the field. I enjoy both the environmental and the economic sides of geography equally. I’d like to be a cartographer perhaps in a management position in the architecture business. But I’d also love to be an economic developer in communities encouraging sustained development. At the moment, I’m looking for a position in the non-profit industry as a communications developer, program development/coordinator, assistant project manager, or assistant director of development between non-profit organizations and programs within any non-profit in Pittsburgh.

What experiences may set you apart from the pack? What skills do you have that others may not?

Being a Brit, and having such easy and quick access to Europe, I have a cultural understanding of international concepts. I’ve completed three placements abroad. The first was in Cambodia, volunteering on a marine conservation project on a small island, teaching sustainable fishing techniques, and monitoring several corals. Secondly, I taught English in Italy during the summer. Lastly, I led a project on a field trip in Barcelona focusing on regionalism and Catalan identity demonstrated through various architecture. Having worked overseas in Asia and Europe, I have acquired unique skills to the region.

Alongside my skills from the workplace in Britain, I have knowledge and skills which perhaps people don’t have in Pittsburgh. On placements, I established and adapted my communication, leadership, and presentation skills to make myself highly approachable. This ability is of high importance when on location.

How has your job search been so far?

My job search has been positive. I was in Pittsburgh for a month earlier in the summer, and I met loads of helpful people who have pointed me in the right direction, given me advice, and even explained I am an ideal candidate for a position in their company. Visas, however, have been rather troublesome. I can’t get sponsored for a visa until next April, which would grant me employment and residency rights in October of 2014. However, with a non-profit, I could be sponsored for a visa now as caps for visas are excused for a non-profit organization. I’m trying to get in touch with non-profits in order to gain employment and a visa. But on the whole, my search for employment has been encouraging.

Jack is in Pittsburgh until mid-October. For contact information and more, check out his resume. If you still haven’t seen his inspiring video, watch it below.